Vermont Energy: What you need to know

Governing Law and Regulations

Renewable energy:

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· Rules. To date, the federal government’s involvement in renewable energy programs has been limited to voluntary programs and providing financial incentives for renewable energy generation. However, Vermont state legislation has established renewable energy obligations. Vermont prohibits the practice of oil and gas well hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in the state.

· Administration and enforcement. The Vermont Public Service Board administers the state’s renewable energy standards. Both the Vermont Natural Gas and Oil Resources Board (Oil and Gas Board) and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) administer and enforce the prohibition of hydraulic fracturing in Vermont.

State Requirements

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard

30 VSA 8001 to 8006

Sustainably Priced Energy Development (SPEED) Program. In 2005, Vermont enacted the SPEED Program to promote the development of in-state renewable energy through long-term contracts for electricity from renewable sources. The SPEED Program is not a renewable energy portfolio standard, but if the minimum obligations of the SPEED Program are not met, a mandatory renewable energy portfolio standard would go into effect, requiring the state's electric utilities to ...